Controlling-valve gear for compound engines.



4 P. E. NORTON. GONTBOLLING VALVE GEAR FOR GOMPOUND ENGINES.

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F. E. NORTON. coNTRoLLING VALVE GEAR Fon coMPoUND ENGINES. 41,094,296.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 29, 1909.

' Patented Sept. 26, 1911.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRED E. NORTON, F YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

`CONIROLLING--VALVE GEAR FOR COMPOUND ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 26, 1911'.

Application filed July 29, 1909. Serial No. 510,250.

.v To all/whom 'it may concern:

. 4and is applicable more particularly to that type of compound enginein which the high pressure and low pressure units are completev andindependent engines using the steam successively, there being nomechanical connection between their shafts, valve gears, or the like, sothat each operates independently of the other, except in s o far astheirv using the same steam may limit them. Such engines are in commonuse in the blowing plants of blast furnaces, each cylinder beingprovided with a separate piston, crank and fly-wheel, and each driving aseparate blowing tub.

i. necessary frequentl In the operation of blast furnaces, it is to slowdown one or both engines, and o ten it is desirable to run the highpressure engine alone, or the low pressure alone, (using reducedpressure boiler steam). This result is customarily secured by placingthrottle and stop valves in the piping between the high and low pressurecylinders, and providing a separate throttle and a pressure-reducingvalve for admitting boiler steam at reduced pressure to l l the lowpressure cylinder. A safety valve is placed on the receiver, or on thepipe between the high and low pressure cylinders, to allow the highpressure cylinder to eX- haust outboard in case receiver pressure buildsup too high. These valves are all separate, and all save the safety andreducing valves are manually operated. Properly manipulated and with dueregard to sequence, they produce the desired results with fair success,but it is obvious that the opening or closing of the Wrong valves, orthe opening or closing of the right valves in the wrong sequence, maycause one or both of the engines to stop. Cessation of the blast,

lwhich would follow stoppage of both engines, is a serious matter inblast furnace operation, one of the consequent dangers being seriousexplosions of gases that work back into the blowing tubs from thefurnace.

My invention, which I shall now proceed to describe, performs all thefunctions of the above-mentioned Valves, many of them automatically;renders it impossible to start or stop both engines by the manipulationof a single valve, and makes it impossible for the accidental stoppageof one engine to cause stoppage of the other. In m description I explainthe invention as app ied to blowin engines, but do not mean to limitmysel' thereto, as it is obviously applicable, Without change, to anytype of disconnected compound engine, reciprocating or other; andwhether it use steam or some other fluid medium capable of successiveexpansions. As will also appear, the apparatus is applicable to compoundengines of the connected type, l Where 1t would serve as a startlng ear,as a means for running the engine simple (z'. e. both cylinders usingthe steam under single expansion), and as a means for controlling thereceiver pressure; but it is in connection with compound engines of thedisconnected type that `the fullest benefits of the invention arerealized, and with which I primarily design to use it.

Referring to the appended drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionalelevation of apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view ofthe upper portion of Fig. 1, the lower portion being cut away to avoidconfusion of parts; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on the linea--a Fig. 1, drawn on an enlarged scale; Fig. 4, a diagram of the enginecylinders, piping, etc.

The same numerals refer' to the same parts throughout the drawings.

Referring to Fig.y 1, it will be seen that' my controlling valve gear,in the embodiment here shown, employs a casing or shell A, preferably ofcast iron and having certain internal walls or partitions B, C and D,cast integral with it. Projecting into the interior of the shell A, andpassing through and making tight fit with the partitions B and C, aretwo cylindrical shells 3 and 20, which are forced into place and furtherheld by bolts, and which may be arranged with their axes parallel, asshown. It will be noted that I thus secure two cylindrical chambers 4and 21, suitable to the reception of sliding valves, later to bedescribed, a series of annular chambers 1, 12 and 14 surrounding thecylindrical chamber 4, and a series of annular chambers 12 and 19surrounding the cylindrical chamber 21. It

will further be noted that communication is had from the cylindricalchambers 4 and 21 to their respective surrounding annular' chambers byports 2, 9, 10,11 and 22, formed in the cylindrical shells, and that theend of chamber 21 opens directly into chamber 12. Pipe connections withthe annular chambers, best seen in Fig. 4, are had as follows: Chamber 1to the high pressure engine exhaust; chamber 12 to the low pressure en-`gine admission; chamber 14 to atmosphere or condenser; chamber 19 toboiler.

Still referring particularly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the annularchamber 1 connected by a suitable pipe to the exhaust side of the highpressure cylinder, communicates with the valve chamber 4 through ports2, in the valve chamber walls 3. Spider frame valves 5 and 6 areslidable in the chamber 4 by means of the rod 7 to which they arerigidly attached by nuts and distance piece, as shown. The rod 7 may bemoved longitudinally by the hand lever 8, so as to cover and uncoverports 9 and 10, the valves 5 and 6 being so positioned on the rod 7 thatports 2 are never covered by valve 5 or 6 within the limits of theirtravel;

- that both ports 9 and ports 10 are closed in their mid position; andthat ports 9 are closed when ports 10 are open, and vice versa.

Ports 9 lead to chamber 12, whence communication is had through pipe 13to the receiver 13a, or to the admission side of the low pressurecylinder, if there be no receiver distinct from the pipe, which itselfconstitutes a receiver to th'e extent of its capacity. Ports 10 lead toannular chamber 14, whence communication is had through pipe 15 to thecondenser or to the atmosphere, as preferred. This pipe 15 I shallhereafter call an auxiliary exhaust connection. Additional ports 11 arelocated in the walls 3 beyond the travel of valve 6, and lead to chamber14 which communicates by pipe 15 with the condenser or atmosphere. Theseports 11 are normally closed by a valve 16 held in its closing positionby a spring 17, and capable of being forced to an opening positionagainst pressure or resistance of said spring by an excess of pressurein the chamber 4. The pressure in chamber 4, requisite to force thevalve to said opening position, may be varied or determined by changingthe compression of spring 17 in any suitable manner, but I prefer theone illustrated, and shall later describe it in detail.

The pipe 18 brings steam from the boiler, and communicates with theannular chamber 19 surrounding the shell 20 of the valve cylinder andcommunicating therewith by the ports 22. The valve cylinder furthercommunicates, by means of ports 23, with the chamber 12 which isconnected, as bethe end of plunger 28.

fore stated, by pipe 13 to the receiver or admission side of the lowpressure cylinder. Sliding in the valve cylinder 20 is the valve piston24, normally held in its open position, as shown, by the spring 25, butcapable of being forced to the right to a closing position by pressurein chamber 12 acting upon Positive closure is also had by moving rod 26to the right, through the engagement of abutment 27 with the end ofplunger 28. In the open positionsteam passes from pipe 18 throughchamber 19, through ports 22, along the contracted portion of the valvepiston, and thence through ports 23 into chamber 12.

The pressure in chamber 12 which determines the opening and closing ofvalve 24 may be varied or determined by changing the compression ofspring 25. This is accomplished in the same manner that changing of thecompression of spring 17 is accomplished, and as the two mechanisms areidentical in construction and operation, they will here be describedsimultaneously, like numerals indicating like parts inthe twomechanisms, the letter a being appended to one set to distinguish itfrom the other.

Referring now to all three figures; the compression of spring 25 (17) isvaried by t-he longitudinal movement of the rod 26 (26a) carrying theabutment 27 (27a), against which one end of the spring bears. This blockand rod are capable of sliding within the plunger sleeve 28 (28a) on theend of the valve 24 (16), inopposition to the springs pressure. The rod26 (26a) is threaded at the outer end, and has near its middle a key-wayengaged by a finger 29 (29a) fixed on the frame, whereby the rodi isprevented from rotating (see Fig. 3). On the end of the rod is a nut 30(30a) swiveled in a' projection of the frame. of this nut by thehand-wheel 31 (31%) through the gears 32 and 33 (32a and 33a), causesthe rod 26 (26a) to move longitudi- The rotation nally, thus varying thestress on the spring 25 (17) at the opening position of the valve r24(16) or in other words, varying the position of the abutment againstwhich the spring rests, and the compression necessary to permit thevalve to move to opening position.

From an examination of the drawing it will be obvious that valve 24serves a dual purpose. First it is an adjustable pressure reducingvalve; and second it is a positively controlled throttle valve. When rod26 is drawn to the extreme right the valve is positively closed. As therod is moved to the left, the opening tendency is increased and thevalve begins to act as a reducing valve, maintaining a very low pressurein chamber 12. As the rod 26 is forced further to the left. the pressuremaintained in 12 is increased. I shall use the term combined throttleand pressure reducing valve, to embrace any valve performing this dualfunction.

Sudden movements of. the valve may be checked by the followingmechanism: Links 34 (34a) connect the plunger sleeve 28 (28a) which isan extension of the valve piston, to one arm of a bell-crank lever 35(35a), to whose other arm 36 (36a) is attached a piston` 37 (37a)working in a pivoted dash pot 38 (38a). This provision is not essentialto a satisfactory embodiment of my invention, but smoother action issecured by its use.

In order that the functions of the apparatus may be fully understood, Igive below a few of the operations carried out. Others will readilysuggest themselves to those familiar with engine handling.

Assuming both engines at rest, the high pressure engine may be startedby opening the throttle on the steam pipe in the usual manner. The bestposition of valves 5 and 6V for this would be to the right, so as toopen port 10 and give a free exhaust from the highpressure cylinder, butregardless of the position of valves 5 and 6 the high pressure enginewill start, as valve 16 will open ports 11 under pressure in chamber 4,unless the low pressure engine starts and relieves this pressure.Assuming, however, that valves 5 and 6 are to the right, giving freeexhaust through ports 10 and closing ports 9, the low pressureenginewould next be started bymanipulating valve 24 by means ofhandwheel 31 until open enough to start and run the low pressure engineon boiler steam from pipe 18. It will be noted that valve 24 will act asa pressure reducing valve, controlling the pressure in chamber 12through the agency of said pressures action on the end of plunger sleeve28, and the opposition or resistance of spring 25 thereto. Theconditions now are: Valves 5 and 6 to the right; ports 9 and 11 closed;ports 10 open; ports 23 open partially and variably, and maintainingapproximately constant pressure in chamber 12; both engines running onboiler steam. It will be noted that in this condition the high pressureengine exhausts only against atmospheric or condenser pressure, and thatthe initial pressure in the low pressure engine may be varied within aconsiderable range. To compound the engines, spring' 17 is adjusted to apressure very slightly higher than the desired receiver pressure (anadjustment seldom requiring attention); then spring 25 is set so thatvalve 24 will open at a pressure very slightly below desired receiverpressure; lastly, valves 5 and 6 are moved to their extreme leftpositions by means of handle 8 acting on vrod 7. The engines will nowoperate compound Conditions are now: Ports 9 open; ports 10 closed;ports 23 closed, but ready to open if pressure in chamber 12 falls;ports 11 closed but ready to open if pressure in chamber 4 rises. Henceif high pressure engine be accidentally stopped, valve 24 will open andsupply steam to low pressure engine, so that it will continue to run. Iflow pressure engine be accidentally stopped, valve 16 will open ports11, and allow high pressure engine to exhaust into pipe 15 so that itwill continue to run. Normal method of stopping either engine: Firstconvert to single expansion operation by moving valves 5 and 6 to theright; then to stop high pressure engine alone close throttle, or tostop low pressure engine alone, draw valve 24 to closed position by theaction of wheel 31.

Besides ease of manipulation and freedom from accidental stoppage, thereare other advantages accruing from the arrangement shown, but as thesewill readily occur Vto any one understanding the mechanism, it isneedless to enumerate them.

It is obvious that the valve cylinders 3 and 20 might be cast integralwith shell A, but it is more convenient and satisfactory to form themseparately, and introduce them through the walls or partitions, asshown.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. The combinationof a source of fluid under pressure; a high pressure cylinder; a lowpressure cylinder adapted to receive fluid from the high pressurecylinder; connections between the source of fluid and the admission tothe low pressure cylinder; a valve adapted to control the flow of Huidthrough said connections; a plunger subject to the pressure at theadmission side of the low pressure cylinder and urging said valve to theclosed position; a spring urging said valve to theopen position; meansfor varying the stress on the spring; and a movable member operable froma point external to the device to engage said valve and force it to aclosed position.

2. The combination of a source of fluid under pressure; a high pressurecylinder; a low pressure cylinder adapted to receive fluid from the highpressure cylinder; connections between the source of fluid and theadmission to the low pressure cylinder; a valve adapted to control theflow of Huid through said connections; a plunger subject to the pressureat the admission side of the low pressure cylinder and urging said valveto the closed position; a spring urging said valve to the open position;and an abutment, movable in opposite directions from a point Without theapparatus and adapted when moved in one direction to increase the stresson said spring `and when in the opposite direction to reduce such stressand then engage said valve and move it toward closed position.

3.. The combination of a source of expansible fluid under pressure; ahigh pressure cylinder; a low pressure cylinder; connections between thesource of fluid and the ad- 3 mission to the low pressure cylinder; avalv-e controlling the flow of fluid through said connections andadapted to be urged to a closing position by the pressure of` admissionto the low pressure cylinder; a springurging said valve to its openposition; means for varying the stress on said spring; means movablefrom a point outside of the apparatus for engaging said valve and movingit positively to a closed position; an auxiliary exhaust connection;connected valves movable simultaneously to open communicationalternately from the high pressure exhaust. either to the lo-w pressureadmission or to the auxiliary connection; and a relief'valve subject tothe pressure of high pressure cylinder exhaust and adapted to opencommunication to said auxiliary exhaust connection.

4. The combination of a source of expansible fluid under pressure; ahigh pressure cylinder; a low` pressure cylinder; connections bet-weenthe source of fluid and the admission to the lo-w pressure cylinder; avalve controlling the flow of fluid through said connections and adaptedto be urged to a closing position by the pressure of admission tothe lowpressure cylinder; a spring ur in said valve to its o en osition meansfor varying the stress on said spring; means movable from a pointoutside of the apparatus for engaging said valve and moving itpositively to-a closed position; an auxiliary exhaust connection;connected'valves movable simultaneously to open communicationalternately from the high pressure exhaust either to the low pressureadmission or'lto the auxiliary connection; a relief valve urged towardits opening position by the pressure of high pressure cylinder exhaust;a. yielding support for said relief valve resisting such movement; andmeans for varying thev resistance of said yielding support.

5. The combination of a source of expansible fluid under pressure; ahigh pressure cylinder; a receiver; a low pressure cylinder; connectionsbetween the source of fluid and the receiver; a valve controlling thepassage of fluid through said connections and adapted to be urged to itsclosing position by the pressure in the receiver; a spring urgingl saidvalve to its open position; means operable from a point outside th-eapparatus for varying the stress on said spring;` means operable from apoint outside the apparat-us for engaging said valve and moving itpositively to a closed position; an auxiliary exhaust connection;connected valves movable simultaneously to open communicationalternately from the high pressure exhaust either tothe low pressureadmission or to the auxiliary exhaust connection; a relief valve urgedtoward its open position by the pressure of high pressure exhaust; ayielding support for said valve; and means operable from a point Withoutthe apparatus for adjusting the resistance of said yielding support.

6. In combination with a high pressure cylinder, a low pressurecylinder; and a source of expansible fluid under pressure; a combinedthrottle and pressu-re-reducing valve located between the source offluid under pressure and the admission to the low pressure cylinder andcomprising a shell having chambers 12 and 19; a tubular valve shell 20provided with ports 22 and 23 leading to the chambers 19 and 12respectively; a valve 24 slidable in said shell and having a reducedportion between its lends of a length suflicient to bridge the ports 22and 23; a hollow plunger 28 connected to said valve and moved bypressure in chamber 12; a spring 25 located in said hollow plunger andresisting said movement; and a movable abutment'27 acting as a supportfor said spring when moved in one direction and engaging with andserving to move the tubular plunger positively when moved in theopposite direction.

7. In combination with a high pressure cylinder, a low pressurecylinder; and a source of expansible fluid under pressure; a combinedthrottle and pressure-reducing valve located between the source of fluidunder pressure and the admission to the low pressure cylinder andcomprising a shell having chambers 12 and 19; a tubular valve shell 20provided with ports 22 and 23 leading to the chambers 19 and 12respectively; a valve 24 sliding in said shell and having a reducedport-ion betweenl its ends of a length sufficient to bridge the ports 22and 23; a hollow plunger 28 connected to said valve and moved bypressure in chamber 12; a spring 25 located in said hollow plunger andresisting said movement; a movable abutment 27 acting as a support forsaid spring when moved inv one direction and engaging with and servingto move the tubular plunger positively when moved in the oppositedirection; a retarding device adapted to check sudden movements; andmechanical connection between said device andv plunger 28.

8. In an apparatus for starting and controlling compound engines, incombination with a high pressure and a low pressure cylinder, and asource of expansible fluid under pressure a relief valve subject to thepressure of the exhaust from the high pressure cylinder and normallyclosing ports opening to the atmosphere, said valve comprising a shell 8having ports 11; a spider-form valve 16 movable over said ports andhaving a tubular plunger 28a; a spring 17 located within said tubularplunger; an abutment 27a located within said neck and forming anabutment for the spring 17; a rod 26a connected with said abutment andhaving a threaded portion; a swiveled nut- 30a encircling said threadedportion and provided with a pinion 32a; a second pinion 33 meshing withthe pinion 32"; and a hand-wheel 31Bv connected with and serving torotate the pinion 338.

9. In an apparatus for starting and controlling compound engines, incombination with a high pressure and a low pressure cylinder, and asource of expansible Huid under pressure; a relief valve subject to thepressure of the exhaust from the high pressure cylinder and `normallyclosing ports opening to the atmosphere, said valve comprising a shell 3having ports 11, a spiderform valve 16 movable over said ports andhaving a tubular plunger 2S, a spring 17 located within said tubularplunger, an abutment 27a located within said plunger and forming anabutment for the spring 17, a rod 26@L connected with said abutment andhaving a threaded portion, a swiveled nut 30a encircling said threadedportion and provided with a pinion 32, a second pinion 33a meshing withthe pinion 32, a handwheel 31EL connected with and serving to rotate thepinion 33, a retarding device adapted to check sudden movements, andmechanical connection between said device and the plunger 28a.

. 10. The herein described starting and controlling apparatus forcompound engines, comprising in combination a shell or casing havingchambers 12, 19, 1 and 14, said chamber 19 having an inlet for livesteam, chamber 12 having an outlet for the passage of steam to thereceiver and low pressure cylinder, chamber 1 having an inlet forexhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder, and chamber 14 having anauxiliary exhaust outlet; a valve shell 2O extending from chamber 19into chamber 12 and having an open end in the latter chamber and ports22 and 23 opening into the respective chambers 19 and 12; a valve shell3 passing through chambers 12, 1 and 14 and having ports 9 and 2 inchambers 12 and 1 respectively, and two sets of ports 10 and 11 inchamber 14; a valve 24 movable within shell 20 and adapted to close port23, and having an intermediate reduced portion forming a connectingpassage between ports 22 and 23, said valve being exposed at its endtothe pressure in chamber 12; means for adjusting valve 24 withreference to said ports; a yielding support for said valve between thevalve and its actuating rod; connected valves 5 and 6 movable withinshell 3 and adapted to close ports 9 and 10 simultaneously and to openeither of said ports and close the other;

.means for moving said valve; a valve 16 adapted to open and close ports11 under variation of pressure in chamber 4; and a yielding support forsaid valve between the valve and its actuating rod.

11. In controlling mechanism for compound engines, a combined throttleand pressure-reducing valve comprising in combination a valve chamber; avalve seat in said chamber; suitable ports in said seat; a valve membermoving on said seat; a plunger mechanism adapted to move the valve underpressure in the chamber to which fluid is delivered; a movable abutment;connections for moving said abutment from a point outside the apparatus;a spring interposed between said abutment and said valve member andopposing the motion imparted by said plunger mechanism; and a memberconnected to said valve and engaged by said abutment so that theabutment may impart positive motion to the valve in a directioncoincident with that imparted by said plunger mechanism.

12. In controlling mechanisms for conipound engines, a combined throttleand pressiue-reducing valve comprising in combination a valve chamber; avalve seat in said chamber; suitable ports in said seat; a valve membermoving on, said seat; a plunger mechanism adapted to move the valveunder pressure in the chamber to which fluid is delivered; a movableabutment; connections ior moving said abut-ment from a point outside theapparatus; a spring interposed between said abutment and said valvemember and opposing the motion imparted by said plunger mechanism; and amember connected to said valve and engaged by said abutment so that theabutment may impart positive motion to the valve in a directioncoincident with that imparted by said plunger mechanism; a retardingdevice to oppose sudden movement; and mechanical connection between saiddevice and the valve member.

13. A controlling valve gear for compound engines of the disconnectedtype, comprising in combination, a convertingvalve chamber; an auxiliaryexhaust connection; a valve s eat in said chamber; ports in said seatconnected to the high pressure exhaust, low pressure admission and theauxiliary exhaust connection respectively; a valve movable in saidchamber, adapted to connect the high pressure exhaust either to the lowpressure admission or to the auX- iliary exhaust; mechanical means formoving said valve; a second valve seat in said converting-valve chamber;ports in said secondl valve scat, leading to the auxiliary exhaust; avalve on said second valve seat adapted to be moved by pressure in saidvalve chamber so as to uncover said ports; a spring normally holdingsaid valve in its closed position; means for adjusting said spring; asecond valve chamber; a valve seatv tion; and meansl for manuallyadjusting the y spring.

14. A controlling gear for compound engines of ythe disconnected typecomprising in coinbination,a converting-valve chamber; an auxiliaryexhaust connection; a valve seat 1 in said converting-valve chamber;-ports in said seat connected to the high pressure exhaust; low pressureadmission and the auxiliary connection respectively; a valve movable insaid chamber, adapted to connect the high pressure exhaust either to thelow pressure admission or t0 the auxiliary exhaust; mechanical means formoving said valve; a; second valve seat; ports in said second seatleading to the auxiliary exhaust; a valve on I said seat adapted to bemoved by pressure of the high pressure engine exhaust so as; to uncoversaid ports; a spring normallyl holding said valve in its closedposition;

means for adjusting said spring; a second valve chamber; a valve seat insaid second chamber; ports in said seat connected to the boiler Vand tothe receiver; a valve on said seat adapted to open and close'communication between said ports; a plunger mech-' anism tending to -move saidvalve to a closed position under pressure in the receiver; a springopposing said motion.; and means for manually adjusting the spring.

15. The combination .of a source of expansible fluid under pressure; ahigh pres- 40 sure cylinder; a low pressure cylinder; connectionsbetween lthe source of fluid and the admission to the low pressurecylinder; a valve controlling theV flow of fluid through saidconnections and adapted to be urged to .4.5 closing position by thepressure of low pressure admission; a spring urging said valve to itsopen position; an abutment movable in opposite direct-ions from a pointvoutside the apparatus, and adapted when moved in one direction toincrease the stress on the spring and when in the opposite direction todecrease said stress and then engage and move the valve toward closedposition; an auxiliary exhaust connection; connected valves movablesimultaneously to open com* munication alternately from the highpressure exhaust either to the low pressure admission or to theauxiliary exhaust .connection; and a relief valve opening under high 6.0pressure exhaust pressure and giving connection to the auxiliary exhaustconnection.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in vthepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

' FRED E. NORTON.

Vitnesses:

J. H. LONG, DAVID THOMAS, Jr.

Gopes .of this patent may be -obtaned for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C.

